Voting begins in Modi's Gujarat for first phase of elections

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Voting for the first phase of the crucial local assembly polls in India's western state of Gujarat began on Saturday amid tight security.

Experts believed this state election is crucial for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to test his popularity and pointed out Gujarat will decide if Modi could keep the governance of India for another five years when the country holds its next general election in 2019.

A supporter holds up a cut-out of a lotus, the election symbol of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with an image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a campaign meeting addressed by Modi ahead of Gujarat state assembly election in Kalol on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, December 8, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The voting is underway in all the 89 constituencies of Kutch, Saurashtra and South Gujarat. Voters including women and elderly are making queues outside the polling stations to cast their votes.

"Today's phase elections are taking place in 89 of the state's 182 constituencies," said an election commission official. "All the measures have been put in place to ensure free and fair polling."

Polling began at 8:00 a.m. local time and will go on until 5:00 p.m. local time in the evening.

Officials said in the first phase over 21 million voters are expected to exercise their right to vote to decide fate of 977 candidates including 57 women in the fray.

A woman leaves a polling booth after casting her vote during the first phase of Gujarat state assembly election in Panshina village of Surendranagar district December 9, 2017. /Reuters Photo

India's ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has been governing the state since 1998. Gujarat is the home state of Modi. Modi has served as chief minister of the state for over 12 years.

In the ongoing elections, the opposition Congress party and two young leaders Hardik Patel and Jignesh Mevani are trying hard to unseat BJP in the state.

All the parties have led aggressive campaigns to impress upon voters and get them on their side.

Reports pouring in from the state said the polling was going on peacefully and is picking up slowly.

"All arrangements are in place for smooth conduct of polls," a poll official told media. "Both VVPAT machines and Electronic Voting Machines are being used on all polling booths."

Modi has urged the voters from state to ensure participation in the elections.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses his supporters during a campaign meeting ahead of Gujarat state assembly election in Kalol on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, December 8, 2017. /Reuters Photo

"Phase 1 of Gujarat polls begin. Urging all those voting today to turnout in record numbers and vote. I particularly call upon youngsters to exercise their franchise," the prime minister wrote on Twitter.

The counting of votes will be taken up on December 18.

The Election Commission of India has already asked media to refrain from publishing any articles or programs related to prediction of election results (popularly known as exit polls) regarding local elections. The poll body issued an advisory that no such news or opinion piece should be published until the evening of December 14, when the second and final phase of Gujarat local elections will be held.

The step, according to officials, was taken to prevent electors from being influenced by the predictions.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency